The University has announced a new scholarship scheme to support Palestinian students.  

These scholarships will provide fully-funded support for two Palestinian students, with a particular focus on those impacted by the conflict in Gaza.   

These taught postgraduate scholarships will cover full tuition fees to study for a Masters at Sussex, with living costs for the year. To be eligible, students must be a Palestinian applicant with an offer of a place to study a Master’s degree at the University of Sussex, starting in September 2025. Opening in March, students have until 1 June 2025 to apply.  

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sasha Roseneil, said: “Sussex gained University of Sanctuary status in 2020, and we are committed to ensuring that our campus is a place of safety, solidarity, empowerment and learning for students seeking sanctuary.  

“Sussex is global through and through, with a long history of internationalism, and we hope that these new scholarships will give Palestinian students the opportunity to successfully continue their studies and advance their learning in a safe environment. As we have done for many years, we will continue to support generations of global change-makers from regions impacted by war and conflict.”   

Recognised as a University of Sanctuary, Sussex is committed to promoting a culture of welcome and inclusion, providing a safe place for forced migrants and asylum seekers. Brighton & Hove is also a City of Sanctuary.   

In addition to these new scholarships, the University’s Sanctuary Scholarships offer two undergraduate scholarships and one Master’s scholarship a year to forced migrants, asylum-seekers, and at-risk scholars.  

A PhD Fellow at the University is currently being funded through the Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) network, which is ‘a rescue mission for academics around the world who need urgent help to escape from discrimination’. Sussex is actively seeking opportunities to provide future support for Palestinian scholars through CARA. 

The University also has an existing scholarship in partnership with the British Council, the Higher Education Scholarships Scheme for the Palestinian Territories (HESPAL) supporting young Palestinian academics to study for a Master’s degree.

• Read about the University’s involvement in a recent Universities of Sanctuary Conference in York in December 2024, including comment from conference speaker and Sussex Law student, Bee Aumeer, who advocates for refugees and asylum seekers alongside her studies.